
Halifax rockers Dog Day drop Fade Out today—their newest release. Mixtape was at the front of the line to ask questions about their recording, film projects and, of course, sandwiches.
Mixtape Magazine: How did Dog Day find the time to make Fade Out, considering how many projects the two of you have? Organizing a film festival, running a screen printing company and directing/producing a movie on top of making a record seems intense.
Dog Day: It was a very long and casual process, in between projects, whenever we had free time. We took off a year of playing so we could focus on it, and didn’t have any real deadlines. Some of the songs were leftovers and some just kinda popped out of thin air. It was actually one of the easiest records we’ve ever worked on.
MM: Has working on so many film related projects over the past couple years changed Dog Day’s approach to music at all?
DD: I don’t know that it has. Maybe certain transitions or themes. I’ve definitely grown more interested in atmospheric music and textures and ventured into it with the LOWLIFE soundtrack. But that didn’t seem to really enter these songs as much. Dog Day is just an outlet for making simple pop songs and we need it for that.
MM: What’s it like being married to someone who is also your creative partner? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages?
DD: It’s nice. You get to kiss them goodnight.
MM: A lot of the lyrics on Fade Out are filled with dark imagery and stories. What sorts of things do you draw lyrical inspiration from?
DD: Mostly just my own baggage or other people’s, though I do tend to throw in a lot of imaginary stuff. I try not to whine a lot or get too gloomy. It’s the blues, man. It’s not about being depressed, it’s about feeling better.
MM: “Sandwich” has few lyrics and seems perfect as Facebook statuses or tweets (they’re under 140 characters!). What’s the story behind that song?
It’s probably the closest we’ve ever come to a vegan song. We generally don’t like to get preachy. It’s more of a Sand-wish. Humans really give animals a hard shake in this world. I think a lot of people don’t realize how hard.
MM: If Dog Day made me a sandwich, what would be on it?
DD: Just vegetables.
What are you looking forward to the most about having a touring lineup with (former York Redoubt member) Seamus Dalton and Mark Grundy joining the band for upcoming live dates?
DD: They’re real pros and understand the value of pop music. We’re looking forward toward getting schooled at our own songs.
MM: How did you meet them and what do they bring to Dog Day?
DD: We met on an online dating service. Mark brought a bass and Seamus brought some boots.
Photo: Supplied